Multisensor array for detection of analytes or mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multisensor array for detection of analytes in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula (I) wherein the hetero atoms X 1 -X 4  and the substituents R 1 -R 4  are defined in the specification and the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond. Said chemo-selective compounds are capable of individually changing physicochemical properties when exposed to analytes or analyte mixtures and these changes can be detected by a transducer or an array of transducers. The present invention does also relate to the use of at least two different chemo-selective compounds in a sensor array, a method for preparation of such sensor arrays and the use of said sensor arrays. Furthermore the present invention relates to methods for detecting and identifying analytes or mixtures thereof in the gas phase or in the liquid phase.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multisensor array for detection of analytes in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds. In particular the present invention relates to a sensor array for detection of organic compounds, inorganic compounds, anions and metal ions in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds. Said chemo-selective compounds are capable of individually changing physicochemical properties when exposed to analytes or analyte mixtures and these changes can be detected by a transducer or an array of transducers. The present invention does also relate to the use of at least two different chemo-selective compounds in a sensor array, a method for preparation of such sensor arrays and the use of said sensor arrays. Furthermore the present invention relates to methods for detecting and identifying analytes or mixtures thereof in the gas phase or in the liquid phase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most traditional and common technologies that involves detection and classification of volatile organic compounds in gas phase is an electronic nose or an electronic tongue for liquid sensing. The electronic nose is a device that combines a chemical-sensing and pattern-recognition systems; in nature it can in principle be the sensing organ of an animal like a nose of a bomb-sniffing dog. Conventional approaches to chemical sensors arrays have traditionally made use of a “lock-and-key” design, wherein a specific receptor is synthesized in order to strongly and highly selectively bind the analyte of interest. Nevertheless, the traditionally applied electronic nose technique is expensive and has certain limitations due to detection problems at low analyte concentrations, temperature and humidity requirements. Furthermore, the technical equipment can be rather heavy and difficult to move into new locations where detection is required.

Sensor arrays, in particular colorimetric sensor arrays, which involve an artificial nose having an array of at least a first dye and a second dye in combination and having a distinct spectral response to an analyte are well known in the prior art. Typical examples of sensor arrays comprising at least two different chemo-selective dyes, where the dyes are from the group of porphyrin, chlorin, chlorophyll, phthalocyanine, or salen, in particular metalated or non-metalated porphyrines and derivatives thereof are known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,102, U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,558 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,857 in which the sensor arrays are particular useful for detecting metal ligating vapors. US2000050839 describes an apparatus and method including a colorimetric array comprising porphyrinogen dyes to detect lung cancer via exhaled breath. US20080199904 describes an apparatus and method including a colorimetric array comprising porphyrinogen dyes to detect and identifying microorganisms. WO2010028057 describes a colorimetric array comprising of nanoporous pigments based on porphyrinogen dyes. A sensor device comprising porphyrinogen derivatives having binding affinity for explosives is known from WO2007132430.

The chemical diversity of the metalated or non-metalated porphyrines and the derivatives thereof described above is relatively limited and only well suited for the detection of metal ligating analytes. The porphyrinogen derivatives having high binding affinity for explosives suffers from a strong cross-reactivity with other electron-deficient guests like chloride ions (JACS, 2004, 126, 16296-16297) (JACS, 2006, 128, 2444-2451). Furthermore, the described sensor molecules are relatively complex molecules with a limited chemical diversity.

Also operational constraints for example environmental changes such as temperature, humidity and large number of interferants giving rise to false positives and false negatives due to too low sensitivity makes it highly desirable with a new class of sensor molecules to provide an improved sensor array in particular a more efficient and/or reliable sensor array.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above mentioned problems of the prior art an emerging strategy that is complementary to the conventional chemical sensing approach involves the use of less specific sensor molecules with a higher degree of cross reactivity. Such sensor arrays can potentially recognize specific molecules precisely and can be applied in many areas of research and industry, such as food quality analysis, medical diagnostics, explosives and toxins detection and environmental monitoring. For practical purposes, such sensing molecules should be relatively simple and cheap while at the same time allow for a large structural diversity.

The present invention relates to multisensory arrays for detection and/or identification of analyte(s) and mixtures thereof such as, for example, explosives, drugs, narcotics, chemicals poisonous, toxins, toxic or relatively toxic compounds, or illegal compounds, in the gas phase and in the liquid phase. By way of examples said arrays can be used to screen for relevant explosives in a complex background as well as to distinguish mixtures of volatile organic compounds distributed in the gas phase.

The sensing is based on at least two chemo-selective compounds of the hetero atom-containing compounds represented by the general structure I)

wherein

-   -   X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom         selected from nitrogen being NH or substituted nitrogen, oxygen,         sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and     -   R′, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen,         halogen, or an organic or metal organic group; and     -   the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a         single bond or a double bond.

These compounds can change their physicochemical properties when exposed to the analyte(s) in gasses or liquids, and these changes can then be detected by a transducer. As will be explained later different transduction methods are foreseen. One example is a colorimetric sensor array where colour change in the visible spectrum of at least two compounds is used as the detection mechanism.

Such sensor arrays have a wide area of application: in military, police, industry, medicine or by civilians—indoor or outdoor tests. The sensor arrays are capable of detecting and identifying chemical compounds belonging to different classes, like amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, sulphides, and thiols. The array can also be applied for screening of the spoilage and/or freshness of food, of vapour poisoning compounds in industry or houses, and for monitoring the environment.

The colorimetric sensor array according to the present invention is a rapid method for detection of analytes, in some applications the responses can be achieved within 30-60 sec. Another advantage of the present invention is that the colorimetric sensor array is an inexpensive approach, and can potentially be produced as single use disposables.

Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a multisensor array for detection of analytes or mixtures thereof in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula I), wherein X¹ to X⁴ as well as R¹ to R⁴ have the above meanings, and the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a sensor array that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art.

A second object of the present invention relates to use of at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula I), wherein X¹ to X⁴ as well as R¹ to R⁴ have the above meanings and the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond; in a multisensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.

A third object of the present invention relates to a method for preparation of the multisensor array according to the present invention, wherein at least two different chemo-selective compounds having the general formula I) are immobilized on a solid support.

In a fourth object the present invention relates to use of the multisensor array according to the present invention for detection and/or identification of an analyte or mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.

In a fifth object the present invention relates to a method of detecting and identifying an analyte or mixtures thereof in a gas or liquid, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a first measurement of the sensor array according to         the present invention before exposure to (in absence of) the         analyte(s),     -   exposing the sensor array to the analyte(s) in gas or liquid         phase,     -   obtaining a second measurement of the multi sensor array after         exposure to the analyte(s), and     -   analyzing a difference between the first measurement and the         second measurement.

Although the present invention will be described in connection with specified aspect and embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented aspects or embodiments. In the context of the claims, the terms “comprising” or “comprises” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as “a” or “an” etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different aspect or claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different aspect or claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous. The different aspect and embodiments of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The sensor array according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

FIG. 1 shows a colorimetric sensor array according to the present invention where one possible location of each of fifteen different individual chemo-selective compounds is shown (before exposure to an analyte).

FIG. 2 shows a miniaturized sensor array (total size about 1.5 mm×2.0 mm) made of a nitrocellulose membrane where solutions of different compounds have been printed onto its surface. Each spot is about 110 μm in diameter, the centre to centre distance between individual spots is 150 μm and the total number of spots is 45.

FIG. 3 shows difference maps of the colorimetric sensor array according to the present invention obtained in the presence of volatile organic compounds and DNT in the gas phase. Images were generated after the mathematical calculations of the colour changes; and are presented as the difference map obtained from the absolute values of RGB values of each dye spot before and after exposure.

FIG. 4 shows a difference map of the colorimetric sensor array according to the present invention obtained before and after exposure of DNT in the gas phase. The image was generated after the mathematical analysis of the colour changes.

FIG. 5 shows the colorimetric sensor array obtained in gas and liquid phases after the exposure (5 sec) to DNT, water and a mixture thereof. a) The colorimetric sensor array obtained after exposure to DNT in gas phase; b) The colorimetric sensor array obtained after exposure to Milli-Q water; c) The colorimetric sensor array obtained after exposure to DNT dissolved in Milli-Q water.

FIG. 6 shows the Principal Component Analysis of the colorimetric sensor array obtained from the response results of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and DNT, at saturated vapour pressure.

The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a multisensor array for detection of an analyte or mixtures thereof, such as organic compounds, inorganic compounds, anions and metal ions, in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula I)

wherein

-   -   X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom         selected from nitrogen being NH or substituted nitrogen, oxygen,         sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and     -   R′, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen,         halogen, or an organic or metal organic group; and     -   the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a         single bond or a double bond.

The mammalian olfactory system contains approximately 1000 different olfactory receptor genes and, upon odor stimulation, responses from many receptors are sent to the olfactory bulb and then to the olfactory cortex for processing. Furthermore, recent experiments have shown that the olfactory receptors are not highly selective toward specific analytes; in fact, one receptor responds to many analytes and many receptors respond to any given analyte. Pattern recognition methods are thus thought to be a dominant mode of olfactory signal processing. A multisensory array is an array of chemo-selective compounds applied on a solid support, simulating the mammalian olfactory system. Like the mammalian olfactory system the array has the capability to identify organic compounds, inorganic compounds, anions and metal ions, in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, because each chemo-selective compound is capable of individually changing physicochemical properties when exposed to analytes or analyte mixtures. These changes of physicochemical properties can be detected by a transducer or an array of transducers. For example, changes in colour can be detected either by transmission measurements or by reflection measurement using e.g. standard ccd cameras or flatbed scanner. Other transduction methods can measure the change in mass e.g. using cantilever arrays by change in resonance frequency, or acoustic wave devices, or quartz crystal microbalances, change in surface stress using cantilevers, change of surface potential using MOSFET arrays, change in conductivity e.g. using conductive polymer arrays, change in molecular vibrations using raman, surface enhanced raman, and infrared spectroscopy. The individual change of each chemo-selective compound in the array is then analyzed by pattern recognition methods to analyze, classify the analyte or analyte mixture.

Useful chemo-selective compounds of this invention include very simple compounds, like the compounds numbered 12, 13 and 20 as shown in Table 1 and in the examples section, which at the same time allow a very high structural diversity, which is also evident from Table 1. Furthermore, many compounds of this class are commercially available or can be synthesized by known methods. The number of potential chemo-selective compounds reported in the literature is in the thousands, matching the complexity of the mammalian olfactory system and making it possible to develop a universal sensor array for all purposes.

Said chemo-selective compounds are capable of individually changing physicochemical properties when exposed to analytes or analyte mixtures and these changes can be detected by a transducer or an array of transducers. Thus, chemo-selective compounds change physicochemical properties when exposed to the analyte(s) in gasses or liquids, and those changes can then be detected. Each of the compounds reacts chemo-selectively with the analyte via non-covalent interactions (host-guest interactions) and has its own fingerprint in response to the presented analyte. Therefore, by using an array of different chemo-selective compounds, analytes of very different nature, but also clearly closely related analyte molecules can be distinguished and detected. As illustrated in Example 4, more than one chemo-selective compound may be needed to distinguish between a false positive and a real positive. In the mentioned Example this is due to the presence of chloride anions existing together with DNT in the sample. In Example 4 we have used 15 different chemo-selective compounds to be able to distinguish between operational constraints like the environmental background from temperature effect and interferants like vapors from common organic solvents during the detection of the explosive DNT.

The present use of an array of chemo-selective compounds differs from conventional approaches to chemical sensors arrays which traditionally have made use of a “lock-and-key” design, wherein a specific receptor is synthesized in order to strongly and highly selectively bind the analyte of interest. The number of chemo-selective compounds needed to address operational constraints for example environmental changes such as temperature, humidity and other interferants giving rise to false positives and false negatives can be optimized according to the complexity of the particular application.

The chemo-selective compounds of this invention have capability to selectively recognize specific analytes; this recognition is a function of intermolecular interactions, basically weak, non-covalent interactions or donor-acceptor interactions. However, only weak, non-covalent interactions can occur between the hetero atoms of general formula I) and neutral target molecules like DNT, TNT or toluene. In order to increase sensing properties, different functional groups, such as dyes, can be incorporated by changing the substituents R¹-R⁴ of the compounds of general formula I). These modifications will amplify the weak, non-covalent interactions to the respective analytes and increase/decrease the polarity, solubility and redox properties of compounds of the general formula I); the diversity of compounds is presented in Table 1 (below). For example, tetraTTF-calix[4]pyrrole (number 15 in Tab. 1) is one of the promising molecules that has good anion binding affinity and selectivity in polar solvents. The optically active calix[4]pyrrole-based sensor has already been applied for the detection of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone, tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, p-benzoquinone, and 1,3,5-trinitrophenole.

The terms “gas phase” and “liquid phase” have their ordinary meanings. The liquid phase also includes heterogeneous suspensions of particles in a medium.

Thus, one aspect the present invention relates to a sensor array for detection of organic compounds, inorganic compounds, anions and metal ions in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formulas 1) and 2)

wherein

-   -   X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents an atom         selected from nitrogen being NH or substituted nitrogen, oxygen,         sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and     -   R′, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen,         halogen, or an organic, or metal organic group.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a sensor array according to the present invention comprising at least fifteen different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula I), wherein X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom selected from nitrogen being NH or substituted nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and R′, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, or any organic or metal organic group; and the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond.

In still another aspect the present invention relates to the sensor array according to the present invention comprising at least fifteen different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formulas 1) and 2), wherein X¹ to X⁴ as well as R¹ to R⁴ have the above meanings.

In another aspect according to the present invention hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently represents a hetero atom selected from nitrogen being NH or nitrogen substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl or chlorophenylmethyl, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of carboxamide, cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl and 4-nitrophenyl; 2-(methylthio)ethylsulfanyl copper bromide; benzoylsulfanyl; C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl; cyano; carboxy; unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₄-alkoxy or halogen; benzyl; halogen; and (4′-{[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene]tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; or R¹ and R⁴ together form a group selected from

R² and R³ together form a group selected from:

the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond.

The substituent groups such as C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl and C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl have their ordinary meaning as commonly used in the field of organic chemistry.

In another aspect according to the present invention the hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently represents a hetero atom selected from oxygen, sulfur and selenium.

In another aspect according to the present invention the hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently represents a hetero atom selected from oxygen and sulfur.

In another aspect according to the present invention the hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently represents an hetero atom selected from sulfur and selenium.

In another aspect according to the present invention the hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each represents a sulfur atom.

In another aspect according to the present invention the substituents R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently may represent halogen. By halogen is meant fluorine, chlorine, bromide, and iodine.

In another aspect according to the present invention the substituents R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) each independently represents hydrogen or an organic group.

In another aspect according to the present invention the compounds are selected from general formula 1), wherein

R¹ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl such as for example methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example methylsulfanyl, ethylsulfanyl, pentylsulfanyl, decylsulfanyl, dodecylsulfanyl, hexadecylsulfanyl, octadecylsylfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of carboxamide, cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl such as for example 2-(carboxamide)ethylsulfanyl, 2-cyanoethylsulfanyl, 2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl, 2-chloroethylsulfanyl, 2-(methylthio)ethylsulfanyl, 2-(phenylcarboxy)-ethylsulfanyl, 2-(phenoxycarbonyl)-ethylsulfanyl, 2-bromoethylsulfanyl, 2-aminoethylsulfanyl; 2-(N-benzoyl)amino-ethylsulfanyl, 2-(methylthio)ethylsulfanyl copper bromide; benzoylsulfanyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; carboxy; phenyl; benzyl; phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen such as for example p-methoxyphenyl, p-bromophenyl, p-Chlorophenyl; and (4′-{[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene]tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; R² is a substituent selected from hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxy-carbonyl, (4-nitrophenyl) such as for example 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfanyl, 2-cyanoethylsulfanyl, 2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl, 2-chloroethylsulfanyl, 2-(methylthio)-ethylsulfanyl, 2-(phenylcarboxy)-ethylsulfanyl, 2-bromoethylsulfanyl, 2-(phenoxy-carbonyl)-ethylsulfanyl, 2-(N-benzoyl)amino-ethylsulfanyl, 2-aminoethylsulfanyl; benzoylsulfanyl; cyano; carboxy; methoxycarbonyl; phenyl; benzyl; and phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; R³ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl, (4-nitrophenyl); benzoylsulfanyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; carboxy; phenyl and phenyl para-substituted by halogen; R⁴ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of cyano, carboxamide, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl; benzoylsulfanyl; benzyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; and carboxy; or R¹ and R⁴ together form a group selected from

R² and R³ together form a group selected from:

In another aspect according to the present invention the compounds are selected from general formula 2), wherein

R¹ is a substituent selected from C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituent is 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; R² is a substituent selected from methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl and pentylsulfanyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethoxy; R³ is a substituent selected from C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl, pentylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; and methoxycarbonyl; R⁴ is a substituent selected from C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituent is 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; or R¹ and R⁴ together form a group selected from:

R² and R³ together form a group selected from:

Some interesting compounds according to the present invention and its different aspects can be found in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Comp. # CAS-nr.: Formula M_(w) Structure Substituents Ref. 1 NA C₁₃H₂₅N₃O₆S₇ 760.00

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:   R² = R³ =

       

Ex 2 NA C₃₈H₃₀N₄O₈S₁₂ 1055.45

R¹ =

Ex R² = R³ =

R⁴ =

3 NA C₂₈H₂₈N₄O₆S₈ 773.07

R¹ = R⁴ =           R² = R³ =

 

Ex 4 26314-39-6 C₁₄H₁₂O₈S₈ 436.50

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

[4] 5 300766- 19-2 C₂₅H₃₁NO₂S₇ 601.97

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

[5] R² = R³ =

6 NA C₂₅H₃₅NO₂S₇ 606.01

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

Ex R² = R³ =

7 NA C₁₉H₁₅NO₆S₅ 516.65

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

Ex R² = R³ =

8 NA C₂₅H₃₁N₃S₆ 565.92

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

Ex R² = R³ =

9 NA C₂₃H₃₅NO₆S₆ 613.92

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

Ex R² = R³ =

10 132765- 36-7 C₁₈H₁₆N₄S₈ 544.87

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 11 NA C₁₄H₁₄Br₂S₁₂ 566.52

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² = R³ =

12 31366- 25-3 C₆H₄S₄ 204.36

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = H C 13 55259- 49-9 C₁₀H₁₂Se₄ 448.04

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Methyl C 14 NA C₁₀₀H₁₄₈N₄O₂₄S₂₄ 2559.82

R¹ = R⁴ =         R² and R³ to- gether form:

   

L 15 NA C₆₈H₈₄N₄S₂₄ 1727.01

R¹ = R⁴ =     R² and R³ to- gether form:

 

L 16 66946- 48-3 C₁₀H₈S₈ 348.69

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

17 507008- 37-7 C₁₀H₁₂S₄ 260.46

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Methyl L 18 24648- 13-3 C₁₄H₈S₄ 304.47

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

19 120120- 58-3 C₁₀H₈O₄S₄ 320.43

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

20 51501- 77-0 C₁₀H₁₂S₈ 388.72

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Methylsulfanyl L 21 26314- C₁₄H₁₂O₈S₄ 436.50 See comp. #4 See comp. #4 L 39-6 22 35079- 58-4 C₁₄H₁₆S₄ 312.54

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

23 2786- 70-1 C₁₆H₁₄N₂S₂ 298.43

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

24 66946- 49-4 C₁₂H₁₂S₈ 412.74

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

25 104515- 79-9 C₁₄H₂₀S₈ 444.83

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Ethylsulfanyl L 26 64394- 47-4 C₈O₂S₈ 348.60

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

27 105782- 53-4 C₇₈H₁₄₈S₈ 1342.53

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 28 55052- 32-9 C₁₀N₄S₄ 304.39

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 29 106920- 34-7 C₇₀H₁₃₂S₈ 1230.32

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 30 104515- 77-7 C₄₆H₈₄S₈ 893.68

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 31 59269- 79-3 C₁₀H₄O₈S₄ 380.39

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = COOH Carboxy L 32 71938- 96-0 C₂₂H₁₆S₄ 408.62

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

33 117860- 14-7 C₁₄H₁₄N₂S₄ 338.53

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

34 106920- 29-0 C₂₆H₄₄S₈ 613.15

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 35 101751- 48-8 C₁₀D₈S₈ 392.74

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

36 106928- 77-2 C₅₄H₁₀₀S₈ 1005.89

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 37 56851- 13-9 C₂₀H₁₆S₄ 384.60

R¹ = R² =

C R³ = Methyl R⁴ = 38 88203- 73-0 C₃₄H₂₀O₄S₈ 749.04

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 39 329966- 57-6 C₁₄H₁₄N₂S₆ 402.66

R¹ = R² =

L R³ = Methyl R⁴ = 40 128258- 82-2 C₁₄H₂₀O₄S₈ 508.83

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 41 14130- 66-5 C₁₁H₁₀N₂O₂S₄ 330.47

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² = Methyl R³ = 42 128258- 77-5 C₁₄H₁₆Cl₄S₈ 582.61

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 43 61940- 34-9 C₁₆H₂₀S₄ 340.59

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

44 420447- 12-1 C₁₅H₁₁NS₃ 301.45

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

45 149130- 70-1 C₁₂H₁₂N₂O₂S₄ 344.5

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² = Methyl R³ = 46 129137- 82-2 C₂₂H₂₄S₁₂ 673.21

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

47 100760- 57-4 C₂₀H₁₆S₄ 384.60

R¹ = R³ =           R² = R⁴ =

  Methyl C 48 75258- 46-7 C₂₂H₂₀O₂S₄ 444.56

R¹ = R² =             R³ = R⁴ =

  CH₃ Methyl C 49 162190- 39-8 C₂₀H₂₄O₂S₈ 552.92

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

50 75949- 42-7 C₁₈H₂₈S₁₂ 629.19

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 51 21583- 22-2 C₁₆H₁₄N₂S₂ 298.43

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

52 698359- 01-2 C₂₄H₂₄S₆ 504.84

R¹ = R² =

L R³ = Ethyl R⁴ = 53 169824- 85-5 C₁₂H₆N₆S₂ 298.35

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 54 134665- 59-1 C₁₈H₂₈BrCuS₁₂ 772.64

R¹ =

L R² = R³ = R⁴ =

55 128258- 81-1 C₄₂H₃₆O₈S₈ 925.25

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 56 128258- 78-6 C₁₄H₁₆Br₄S₈ 760.41

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

L 57 1000760- 61-0 C₂₂H₁₆S₄ 408.62

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

58 100760- 59-6 C₂₀H₁₄Br₂S₄ 542.39

R¹ = R³ =             R² = R⁴ =

  Methyl L 59 100760- 58-5 C₂₀H₁₄Cl₂S₄ 453.49

R¹ = R³ =             R² = R⁴ =

  Methyl C 60 83362- 96-3 C₂₀H₁₄Cl₂S₄ 453.49

R¹ = R² =             R³ = R⁴ =

  Methyl C 61 67855- 75-8 C16H12S4 332.53

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

L R² and R³ to- gether form:

62 1030768- 99-0 C₄₂H₃₂Cl₄N₄ 734.54

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:   R² and R³ to- gether form:

     

C 63 883534- 04-1 C₂₄H₂₄S₆ 504.84

R¹ = R⁴ =           R² = R³ =

  Ethyl C 64 551930- 23-5 C₁₄H₂₀O₂S₆ 412.70

R¹ = R⁴ =       R² = R³ =

  Ethyl C 65 329908- 90-9 C₁₄H₂₄N₄S₈ 504.89

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

C 66 325721- 85-5 C₄₂H₃₆O₈S₈ 925.25

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

C 67 304692- 67-9 C₄₂H₄₀N₄O₄S₈ 921.31

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ =

C 68 149130- 58-5 C₁₀H₇N₂O₂S₄ ⁻ 315.44

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² = Methyl R³ = 69 149130- 54-1 C₁₀H₂N₄O₄S₄ ²⁻ 370.41

R¹ and R⁴ to- gether form:

C R² and R³ to- gether form:

70 125113- 45-3 C₆F₄S₄ 276.32

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Fluoro T 71 121910- 92-7 C₆Cl₄S₄ 342.14

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Chloro L 72 99159- 47-4 C₆Br₄S₄ 519.94

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Bromo L 73 125113- 44-2 C₆I₄S₄ 707.94

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Iodo L 74 196822- 89-6 C₆Cl₄O₄ 277.87

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Chloro T 75 196822- 87-4 C₆Cl₄Se₄ 529.72

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Chloro L 76 196822- 88-5 C₆Cl₄Te₄ 724.28

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Chloro T 77 351533- 94-3 C₆Br₄Se₄ 707.52

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Bromo L 78 351533- 95-4 C₆I₄Se₄ 895.52

R¹ = R² = R³ = R⁴ = Iodo L C: commercially available, T: theoretical compound, Ex: see experimental section, L: literature

In another aspect according to the present invention the compounds of the general formulas I) and 1) and 2) has a molecular weight below 1700, preferably below 1600 and more preferably below 1500. In still other aspects of the invention the molecular weight of the compounds can be low and even below 1000.

In still another aspect according to the present invention the compounds are selected from general formula 1), wherein the hetero atoms X¹ to X⁴ are selected from sulphur or selenium; and

R¹ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of carboxamide and cyano; and (4′-{[7-(2-Cyanoethylthio)-2,3-Dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene]tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; R² is a substituent selected from hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; R³ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as pentylsulfanyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; and R⁴ is a substituent selected from hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of carboxamide and cyano; or R¹ and R⁴ together form:

In still another aspect according to the present invention the compounds are selected from general formula 2), wherein the hetero atoms X¹ to X⁴ are sulphur; and

R¹ is a substituent selected from 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy); C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example ethylsulfanyl and propylsulfanyl; R² is a substituent selected from methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl, pentylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; R³ is a substituent selected from methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl and pentylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; R⁴ is a substituent selected from C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl such as for example propylsulfanyl; 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethylsulfanyl; or R¹ and R⁴ together form

R² and R³ together form

As evident from the above the at least two chemo-selective compounds can be selected from the compounds having general formula I), 1) and 2), or most preferred from a mixture thereof.

In one aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 1 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 2 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 3 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 4 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 5 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 6 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 7 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 8 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 9 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 10 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 11 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 12 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 13 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 14 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention one of the at least two compounds is compound 15 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention the sensor array comprises at least two different compounds selected from compounds 1 to 15 of Table 1.

In another aspect according to the present invention the sensor array comprises all of the compounds 1 to 15 of Table 1. In another aspect the sensor array comprises all of the compounds 1 to 13 as well as at least two compounds selected from compounds 16 to 78 of table 1.

The sensor array according to the present invention with a plurality of chemo-selective compounds is by way of example suitable for detection of illegal drugs. Large amount of drug precursors smuggled around the world through various ways: aircrafts, by freight vehicles and container transport. This sensor can thus help to easily detect a variety of illegal chemicals and drugs, and drug precursors carried by individuals as well as hidden in mails, luggage and conveyance.

The sensor array according to the present invention can also be used to define the presence of bacteria on the surface of food samples. Food, such as meat and fish, are in fact excellent mediums for microbial growth due to high water content, the water soluble carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen, favourable pH, and high levels of oxygen. The food manufacturing industry requires fast information regarding quality of raw material and commodities. In general, microbial food spoilage is a relatively saddening event, but if it has occurred then results of microbial activity can reveal themselves in different ways: products and by-products of microbial metabolism, pigments, gases, polysaccharides, flavours, and odours. The sensor array can in this contest provide rapid information about the presence of metabolically active microorganisms on the surface of food samples. Therefore, this sensor can be used as a simple and rapid tool since it is easy to use and can be provided at a low cost. Measurements using the sensor array according to the invention can be performed within 2 min or less. The sensor array of the present invention were applied to detect presence of bacteria in minced meat and fish samples as shown in the Example section. The working principle was based on the detection and identification of gases emanating by bacteria during their metabolism.

The sensor array according to the present invention can also be used for screening of most commonly used explosives and organic compounds in the real-time format in liquid phase. The main characteristics for the sensor array are based on such parameters as detection limit, time of the response and high selectivity. Those characteristics are very important and essential in order to prevent terroristic attacks, distribution of narcotics, illegal drugs or in the environmental control. The sensor survey can also be performed in liquid phase, for example in water or in organic polar solvents, and this can enhance the detection properties of the sensor array. The liquid phase is a good environment for screening of analytes in various concentrations. The signal of relevant changes in the sensor array can often be obtained faster in liquid phase than in gas phase.

Thus, a second object of the present invention relates to use of at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formula I), wherein X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom selected from nitrogen being NH or substituted nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, or an organic or metal organic group; and the dashed bonds represent independently of each other either a single bond or a double bond; in a sensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.

In one aspect the present invention provides use of at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formulas 1) and 2), wherein X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom selected from nitrogen being NH or nitrogen substituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl or chlorophenylmethyl, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium; and R′, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, or an organic or metal organic group; in a sensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.

In one aspect of the present invention the hetero atoms X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently may be selected as indicated above.

In another aspect of the present invention the substituents R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ each independently may be selected as indicated above.

In another aspect of the present invention different combinations of the hetero atoms X¹-X⁴ and substituents R¹-R⁴ may be selected as indicated above.

In one aspect of the second object of the present invention the at least two different compounds are selected from compounds no. 1 to 15 of Table 1. In another aspect of the invention the compounds are selected from compounds no. 1 to 13 as well as at least two compounds selected from compounds no. 16 to 78 of table 1.

A third object of the present invention relates to a method for preparation of the sensor array according to the present invention, wherein at least two different chemo-selective compounds having the general formula I) are immobilized on a solid support. In another aspect the present invention relates to a method for preparation of the sensor array according to the present invention, wherein at least two different chemo-selective compounds having the general formulas 1) or 2) are immobilizing on a solid support. These at least two different chemo selective compounds are immobilized spatially separated and individually addressable.

It should be mentioned that the same methods can be used for preparation of the sensor arrays for both gasses and liquids and also that the same solid supports are applicable.

The solid support of the sensor array can be Si-based, such as poly- and mono-crystalline silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silica, glass, controlled pore glass, silica gel, metallic such as gold, platinum, silver, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium, aluminum, gallium, germanium, indium, zinc, alloys like cadmium telluride and copper-indium-selenide, and metallic oxides, synthetic or natural polymers such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylchloride polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyldifluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoro ethylene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyimide, cellulose, nitrocellulose, starch, polysaccharides, natural rubber, butyl rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, epoxies like SU-8, polycyclic olefins' like Topas, photoresist materials, and conducting polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyacetylene, polythiophene, polypyrrole, and polyaniline, carbon based such as glassy carbon, carbon paste, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Preferred solid supports are silica gel, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, gold, platinum, polyimide, nitrocellulose, polyvinyldifluoride, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, polytetrafluoro ethylene, polyamide, glassy carbon, carbon paste, graphite, corbon nanotubes, and graphene.

In yet another aspect of the present invention the at least two different chemo-selective compounds are immobilized on a solid support and their locations in the array are as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention compounds 1 to 13 of Table 1 are immobilized on a solid support together with two other compounds selected from Table 1.

In gas phase, the array of chemo-selective compounds can be exposed to saturated vapours of analytes (e.g., acetone, acetic acid, DNT, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and toluene as described in example 4). Alternatively vapours can be passed over the array using a flow cell and a pump. Low concentrations of less volatile compounds like explosives can be detected using a sample pre-concentrator followed by heating of the sample bringing the vapours to the array.

In liquid phase, the array of chemo selective compounds can be immersed into the liquid, or liquid can be passed over the array using a fluidic system. For use in liquid phase special attention in the selection of chemo-selective compound will be to avoid bleeding of the compounds in contact with the liquid.

Thus, in a fourth object the present invention relates to use of the sensor array according to the present invention for detection and/or identification of an analyte or mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase. Therefore, if no bleeding occurs in the liquid phase, the same sensor array can be used in both liquid and gas phase.

In a further aspect the present invention relates to use of the sensor array according to the present invention for detection and/or identification of an analyte or mixtures thereof such as a volatile organic compound or mixtures thereof in gas phase.

In one aspect the present invention relates to use of the sensor array according to the present invention for detection and/or identification of a volatile organic compound or mixtures thereof in gas phase. The gas phase may be ambient air or may be an inert carrier gas like nitrogen or argon. The array can also be useful in detection of and identification of volatile organic compounds in the presence of water vapor in air.

In another aspect of the present invention the analyte or mixtures thereof are amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, sulphides, thiols, explosives, toxic compounds, toxins, drugs and drug precursors, narcotics, environmental poisons and pollutants, exhaust gasses from burning of fuels (NOx and SOx).

In another aspect of the present invention the volatile organic compound or mixtures thereof are amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, sulfides, thiols, explosives, toxic compounds, toxins, drugs, narcotics, environmental poison and pollutants.

In another aspect of the present invention the sensor array can be used for screening of spoilage and/or freshness of food based on the detection and identification of gases emanating by bacteria during their metabolism.

In another aspect of the present invention the sensor array can be used for screening of vapour poisoning compounds in plastic materials and furniture in the gas phase.

For each application the chemo-selective compounds of the sensor array will be selected to address operational constraints for example environmental changes such as temperature, humidity and other interferants giving rise to false positives and false negatives. Each array can be optimized according to the complexity of the particular application.

In a fifth object the present invention relates to a method of detecting and identifying an analyte or mixtures thereof in a gas or liquid, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a first measurement of the sensor array according to         the present invention before exposure to (in absence of) the         analyte(s),     -   exposing the sensor array to the analyte(s) in gas or liquid         phase,     -   obtaining a second measurement of the sensor array after         exposure to the analyte(s), and     -   analyzing a difference between the first measurement and the         second measurement.

In one aspect the present invention relates to a method of detecting and identifying a volatile organic compound or mixtures thereof in a gas, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a first measurement of the sensor array according to         the present invention before exposure to (in absence of) the         analyte(s),     -   exposing the sensor array to the analyte(s) in gas phase,     -   obtaining a second measurement of the sensor array after         exposure to the analyte(s), and     -   analyzing a difference between the first measurement and the         second measurement.

In one aspect the first and second measurements are performed by electrochemical measurements, photonic measurements, conductivity measurements, colorimetric measurements, etc., or by an array of different measurements. The changes of physicochemical properties of the chemo-selective compounds of the array can be detected by a transducer or an array of transducers. For example, changes in colour can be detected either by transmission measurements or by reflection measurement using e.g. standard ccd cameras or flatbed scanner. Other transduction methods can measure the change in mass e.g. using cantilever arrays by change in resonance frequency, or acoustic wave devices, change in surface stress using cantilevers, change of surface potential using MOSFET arrays, change in conductivity e.g. using conductive polymer arrays or graphene. The individual change of each chemo-selective compound in the array is then analyzed by pattern recognition methods to analyze, identify or classify the analyte or analyte mixture.

In another aspect according to the present invention analyzing a difference between the first and second measurements gives a fingerprint of the analyte(s) in the gas or liquid phase. The initial measurement will record the environmental background of interfering substances while the second measurement records the change caused by the presence of the analyte or analytes plus the background. Calculating the difference map between the two measurements will give the fingerprint of the analyte or analytes alone. When using a colorimetric technique as the transduction method, each compound in the array changes color. A change in a color signature indicates the presence of known or unknown analytes. Each chosen dye reacts chemo-selectively with the analytes of interest. Digital imaging of the dye array before and after exposure to the analytes creates a color difference map which composes a unique fingerprint for each analyte. In order to extract the color code from each dye the position of each dye on the image must be located. Each dye is represented using the red, green, and blue color scheme. In this model every color is provided as red, green, and blue color (RGB); RGB values are given in the 0-255 integer range. The minimum intensity of the color gives black (0;0;0) and maximum white color (255;255;255). After the dye has been located and converted to RGB values, the median value of each dye is calculated. The median instead of the mean is used in order to be more robust to noise and outliers.

In a sixth object of the invention relates to a method for detecting and identifying an analyte or mixtures thereof in a gas or liquid, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a first image of the sensor array according to the         present invention before exposure to (in absence of) the         analyte(s),     -   exposing the sensor array to the analyte(s) in gas or liquid         phase,     -   obtaining a second image of the sensor array after exposure to         the analyte(s), and     -   analyzing a difference between the first image and the second         image by creating color difference map.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for detecting and identifying a volatile organic compound or mixtures thereof in a gas, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a first image of the sensor array according to the         present invention before exposure to (in absence of) the         analyte(s),     -   exposing the sensor array to the analyte(s) in gas phase,     -   obtaining a second image of the sensor array after exposure to         the analyte(s), and     -   analyzing a difference between the first image and the second         image by creating color difference map.

In another aspect of the present invention the analyte(s) are identified within 30-120 sec after exposure to the gas or liquid phase. In another aspect of the invention, the analyte(s) are identified in less than 30 sec. It is contemplated that the sensor sensitivity will be increased, by screening analytes in various concentrations and calculating the kinetics of relevant reactions.

In another embodiment of the present invention the analyte(s) are identified after several weeks of exposure to the gas or liquid phase.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

All patent and non-patent references cited in the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting examples and figure.

EXAMPLES Synthetic Procedures Synthesis of 2-(4,5-Bis[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-methyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (compound 9) Step A 2-(4,5-Bis[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (C)

4,5-Bis[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (A) (see Lyskawa, J., et al., Tetrahedron, 2006. 62(18): p. 4419-4425) (4.50 g, 9.18 mmol) and 5-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrol-2-one (B) (see Jeppesen, J. O., et al., Organic Letters, 1999. 1(8): p. 1291-1294) (1.91 g, 6.14 mmol) were suspended in anhydrous P(OEt)₃ (100 mL) and placed in a preheated oil bath (135° C.). After 10 and 20 min., respectively, another ½ eq. of A (2×2.25 g, 2×4.59 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture heated for another

4 h. After cooling to room temperature, precipitation by addition of MeOH (150 mL), filtration and column chromatography [SiO₂, CHCl₃:EtOAc 2:1 v/v, Rf=0.2], was C obtained as a orange solid (4.51 g, 97%). Mp.: 46-48° C. MS (MALDI): m/z (%)={753 (M⁺, 28), 599 ([M-Ts]⁺, 100)}.

Step B 2-(4,5-Bis[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (D)

Compound C (4.48 g, 5.94 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (200 mL) and anhydrous MeOH (70 mL), and degassed with N₂ for 20 min. To this solution was NaOMe i MeOH (25%, 3.21 g, 59.4 mmol) added and the reaction mixture heated to reflux for 1.5 h. After cooling to room temperature, H₂O (250 mL) was added and the mixture extracted with CHCl₃ (3×150 mL). The organic phases were combined, washed H₂O (2×150 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was afterwards subjected to column chromatography [SiO₂, CHCl₃:MeOH 95:5 v/v, Rf=0.4] wherefrom D was obtained as a yellow oil (3.11 g, 87%). MS (MALDI): m/z (%)={600 (M⁺, 100)}.

Step C 2-(4,5-Bis[2-{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-methyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (9)

Compound D (890 mg, 1.48 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (125 mL) and degassed with N₂ for 15 min., whereafter NaH (60% v/v suspension in mineral oil, 400 mg, 240 mg, 10.0 mmol) was added, whereby the color changed from yellow to orange. After 20 min., MeI (3.37 g, 23.7 mmol) was added to the mixture, resulting in a color change back to yellow. After 1.5 h, excess MeI was removed by stripping with N₂ for 15 min., followed by dropwise addition of a sat. NaCl-solution (50 mL) until gas evolution no longer could be observed. After extraction with CHCl₃ (250 mL), washing with sat. NaCl (2×250 mL), H₂O (250 mL), and drying (MgSO₄), the solvent is removed in vacuo. The resulting residue was subjected to column chromatography [SiO₂, CHCl₃:MeOH 98:2 v/v, Rf=0.3] wherefrom compound 9 was obtained as an orange oil (749 mg, 82%). MS (MALDI): m/z (%)={613 (M⁺, 100)}.

Synthesis of 2,3-Bis(2-amidoethylthio)-6,7-bis(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylthio)-tetrathiafulvalene (compound 3) Step A 4,5-Bis(2-amidoethylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (F)

4,5-Bis(2-cyanoethylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (E) (see N. Svenstrup et al., Synthesis, 1994, 8, 809-812) (4.08 g, 13.4 mmol) was suspended in conc. HCl (320 mL) and heated to 40-42° C. for 3 h. The suspension was then poured into a mixture of ice/H₂O (400 mL) and the product F isolated by filtration, washed with copious amounts of H₂O and dried in vacuo. Recrystallization from 2-methoxyethanol/H₂O yielded F as pale yellow needles (4.38 g, 96%). MS (EI): m/z (%)={340 (M⁺, 64), 166 (30), 72 (100)}.

Step B 2,3-Bis(2-annidoethylthio)-6,7-bis(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylthio)-tetrathiafulvalene (compound 3)

4,5-Bis(2-amidoethylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (F) (0.63 g, 1.85 mmol) and 4,5-bis(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-one (G) (see K. B. Simonsen et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 1999, 38 (10), 1417-1420) (1.33 g, 2.77 mmol) were suspended in a mixture of anhydrous degassed dioxane (250 mL) and triethyl phosphite (45 mL) and heated to reflux for 6 h. After cooling to room temperature and removal of the solvents in vacuo, the residue was washed with copious amounts of MeOH and dried under vacuum. The residue were purified by column chromatography [SiO₂, I) CH₂Cl₂, II) CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 97:3, III) CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 94:6] yielding compound 3 as an orange solid (0.82 g, 57%). Mp: 191-193° C. MS (FAB): m/z (%)={772 (M⁺)}.

Synthesis of 2-(4,5-Bis[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (compound 1)

5-Tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrol-2-one (B) (see Jeppesen, J. O., et al., Organic Letters, 1999. 1(8): p. 1291-1294) (0.62 g, 2.00 mmol) and 4,5-bis(2-(4-nitro-phenyl)ethylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (H) (see D. Damgaard et al., J. Mater. Chem., 2000, 10, 2249-2258) (2.00 g, 4.00 mmol) were dissolved in triethyl phosphite (15 ml) and heated to 130° C. for 2 h. Then the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by column chromatography [SiO₂, CH₂Cl₂]. The red band was collected, the solvent removed in vacuo, and the residue recrystallized from CHCl₃/petroleum ether (b.p. 60-80° C.) to give orange granules of compound 1, (0.24 g, 16%); Mp: 143-144° C. PDMS (m/z): 759.3.

Synthesis of 2-(4,5-Bis[methoxycarbonyl]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (compound 7)

5-Tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrol-2-one (B) (see Jeppesen, J. O., et al., Organic Letters, 1999. 1(8): p. 1291-1294) (0.75 g, 2.40 mmol) and 4,5-bis(methoxy-carbonyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-one (I) (see Baffreau, J., F. Dumur, and P. Hudhomme, Organic Letters, 2006. 8(7): p. 1307-1310) (3.20 g, 13.7 mmol) were mixed in o-xylene (80 ml) and heated to 130° C. Triethyl phosphite (8 ml) was added and the resulting reaction mixture stirred at 130° C. for 12 h, whereupon a second portion of I (1.6 g, 6.8 mmol) was added. The heating was continued another 12 h. Then the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by column chromatography [SiO₂, PhMe/EtOAc 1:0→4:1 v/v]. This afforded, after removal of the solvents in vacuo, the product 7 as a red oil that solidified upon standing. Recrystallization from EtOAc/petrol ether yielded 7 as red needles (0.58 g, 47%). Mp: 166-167° C. MS (EI): m/z (%)={513 (M⁺, 57), 358 ([M-Ts]⁺, 100)}.

Synthesis of Bis-TTF (compound 2)

2,3-Bis(2-cyanoethylthio)-6,7-bis(methoxycarbonyl)tetrathiafulvalene J (see K. B. Simonsen et al., Synthesis, 1996, 3, 407-418) (1.84 g, 3.75 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (120 mL) and degassed with N₂ for 15 min. CsOH.H₂O (0.66 g, 3.94 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous degassed MeOH (10 mL) and added dropwise over 1 h to the previous solution. After ended addition, the reaction mixture was stirred for additional 40 min., before 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (K) (see Ashton, P. R., et al., Chemistry—A European Journal, 1998. 4(4): p. 590-607), dissolved in anhydrous DMF (15 mL), was added in one portion. After stirring overnight the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was redissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL) and washed with H₂O (200 mL), sat. NaCl (4×200 mL) and H₂O (200 mL) and dried (Na₂SO₄), before the solvent was removed in vacuo. The remaining residue was purified by column chromatography [SiO₂, CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 100:2] affording compound 2 as a dark red compound (1.81 g, 92%). MS (FAB): m/z (%)={1054 (M⁺)}

Synthesis of 2-(4,5-Bis[n-pentylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-4,6-Dihydro-5-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (compound 6)

1,3-Dihydro-N-tosyl-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrol-2-one (L) (see Jeppesen, J. O., et al., Organic Letters, 1999. 1(8): p. 1291-1294) (1.69 g, 5.4 mmol) and 4,5-bis(n-pentylthio)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione (M) (see B. M. Pedersen et. al., Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2006, 15, 3099-3104) (1.50 g, 5.00 mmol) were mixed in distilled triethyl phosphite (20 ml) and rapidly heated to 130° C. Two more portions of M (a 0.9 g, 3 mmol) were added after 10 and 20 min., respectively. The reaction was then stirred at 130° C. for 5 h and then left to cool to room temperature. MeOH (150 ml) was added and the precipitate formed was collected and washed with MeOH (3×20 ml) to give a yellow powder. This crude product was redissolved in a mixture of CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 1:1 (100 ml). The solution was reduced in vacuo to approximately half the volume and the precipitate that formed was collected as a yellow powder which was subjected to column chromatography [SiO₂, PhMe/CH₂Cl₂ 9:1 v/v]. This afforded compound 6 as orange needles (1.63 g, 50%), mp: 136-137° C.

Synthesis of 2-(4,5-Bis[pentylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-(p-amidinophenyl)-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (compound 8) Step A 2-(4,5-Bis[pentylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (P)

2-(4,5-Bis[pentylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (N) (see Jeppesen, 10., et al., The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2000. 65(18): p. 5794-5805) (0.34 g, 0.75 mmol) was mixed with 0 (0.34 g 1.51 mmol), K₃PO₄ (0.34 g, 1.51 mmol), CuI (0.03 g, 0.08 mmol), and trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (0.02 mL, 0.15 mmol) in anhydrous dioxane (2 mL) in an oven-dried Schlenk tube and heated to 110° C. on an oil bath for 24 h. After cooling to room temperature, EtOAc (100 mL) was added. The resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration and washed with EtOAc (50 mL). The compound P was used without further purification (0.13 g 33%).

Step B 2-(4,5-Bis[pentylthio]-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-5-(p-amidinophenyl)-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole (8)

To a suspension of NH₄Cl (0.29 g, 8.65 mmol) in PhMe (5 mL) was AlMe3 (14 mL, 2 M in PhMe, 0.28 mol) added carefully and stirred for 1.5 h. To this was P (0.15 g, 0.27 mmol) in PhMe (10 mL) added and the mixture heated to reflux for 48 h. After cooling to room temperature, NH₄Cl (3.15 g, 94.0 mmol) was added and followed by the very careful addition of 4 M NaOH (12 mL). The reaction mixture was then poured into 4 M NaOH (100 mL) and the organic phase isolated. After drying (MgSO₄) and evaporation of the solvent in vacuo was the remaining residue subjected to column chromatography [SiO₂, CH₂Cl₂, Rf=0.5] yielding compound 8 as a yellow powder (95.1 mg, 61%).

Sensor Array Example 1 Preparation of Sensor Array by Hand

Compounds 1-15 from the list of compounds in Table 1 were chosen. To prepare the sensor array, the chemo-selective compounds with given numbers 6, 8, 10, 13 and 15 were dissolved in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (Sigma, St. Louis, USA), and chemo-selective compounds with given numbers 1-5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 14 were dissolved in DMSO (Sigma, St. Louis, USA) to obtain a final concentration of 1% (w/v). Stock solutions of the compounds were stored in brown flasks at room temperature. Immediately after preparation of the solutions, the chemo-selective compounds were immobilized on a solid support (Kieselgel 60F254, Merck KGaA, Germany). Position and structure of compounds, are shown in FIG. 1. The volume of applied chemo-selective compounds was 1 μL per spot. Each individual spot was approximately 1.5 mm in diameter with the total size of the sensor array of approximately 2.5 cm×2.5 cm. Pictures were scanned through an ordinary flatbed scanner (Epson V750-M Pro Perfection scanner) directly after immobilization of compounds.

Example 2 Preparation of the Sensor Array by Micro-Spotting

The 15 solutions of the compounds described in Example 1 were used to prepare a miniaturized sensor array using a micro-contact spotting Spotbot2 instrument (Arrayit, Sunnyvale, Calif., USA) with a mounted SMP3 pin. Spot spacing was 150 μm. The pin has a flat surface, defined uptake channel which allows loading of 0.25 μL of a sample and produces spots of 110 μm in diameter. The solid support used here were both Kieselgel 60F254 membrane (Merck KGaA, Germany) and a nitrocellulose membrane (Schleicher & Schuell, Dassel, Germany). The volume per spot was not determined (a delivery volume of 600 pL was expected on a microscope slide surface). Pictures of the printed microarray were obtained by using an Olympus stereomicroscope with a mounted Olympus colored camera (Olympus, Center Valley, Pa., USA). FIG. 2 shows the results of the printed sensor array on a nitrocellulose membrane before exposure to analytes. Each spot was approximately 110 μm in diameter and the total size of the sensor array was approximately of 1.5 mm×2.0 mm.

Example 3 Use of Different Solid Supports

Different solid supports were used to prepare the sensor array according to the invention: Kieselgel 60F254 plates (Merck KGaA, Germany, PVDF membranes with hydrophilic properties (Millipore Corporation, Billerica, Mass., USA), nitrocellulose membranes (Schleicher&Schuell, Dassel, Germamy), polypropylene, polyester, nitrocellulose mixed ester, nylon, polyethersulfone, Teflon membranes, and glass fiber were from Stelitech (Sterlitech Corporation, Kent, Wash., USA). Chemo-selective compounds were manually deposited directly onto the solid support or deposited by using the micro-spotting technique as described in Example 1 and Example 2, respectively. FIG. 2 shows the micro-spotting experiments using nitrocellulose membrane.

Example 4 Detection of Organic and Inorganic Vapors

Analytes: acetone, acetic acid, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, propanol, toluene were obtained from Sigma (St. Louise, Mo., USA). Ethanol was ordered from Solveco Chemicals AB (Dramstadt, Germany). All chemicals were of analytical grade and used without further purification. Sensor arrays were prepared as described in Example 1. After scanning, each array was exposed to saturated analyte vapors at room temperature (DNT at 100° C.) for two minutes. Control measurements were performed at room temperature and elevated temperature of 100° C., respectively with ambient air. After exposure to analytes each array was scanned again. Each analysis was done in triplicates.

A colorimetric sensor array for detection of VOCs and DNT in a gas phase was designed using 15 chemo-selective compounds (compounds 1 to 15 of Tab. 1). Compounds were immobilized onto silica gel plates in the working volume of 1 μL. Since mass transport and time response are correlated values, saturated conditions of analytes (acetone, acetic acid, DNT, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and toluene) were prepared. Detection of acetone, acetic acid, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and toluene were performed at 24° C. DNT was detected at the elevated temperature of 100° C. Control measurements were performed at 24° C. and 100° C., respectively. Pictures were scanned twice through an ordinary flatbed scanner (Epson V750-M Pro Perfection scanner) first time immediately after immobilization of chemo-selective compounds and the second time after exposure to analytes. The experiment duration was 2 minutes for each analyte. Pictures were obtained at 600 dots per inch in the RGB color format. Results were analyzed by using MatLab software. Using the red, green and blue color scheme color changes for each compound were analyzed before and after exposure to the analyte. Color changes of each dye were analyzed using the red, green, and blue color scheme. In this model every color is provided as red, green, and blue color (RGB) with RGB values given in the 0-255 integer range. The minimum intensity of the color gives black (0,0;0) and maximum white color (255;255;255). After the dye was located and converted to RGB values, we calculated the median value of each. We used the median instead of the mean in order to be more robust to noise and outliers. A difference map was obtained from the values of red, green or blue colors after exposure minus the value of red, green or blue color before the exposure. Since the RGB color scheme does not allow negative values the absolute difference was taken. Further in order to enhance the visibility of the colors difference maps the RGB values were first scaled with a factor of 5 and then shifted from 5 to 10. The instances where the difference map (before scaling) resulted in a color value lower than 3 the pixel was rounded down to a color value of 0 (see Table 2 below).

By using the chemo-selective compounds we were able to apply the colorimetric sensor array for screening volatile organic compounds, like acetone, acetic acid, ethanol, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, propanol, and toluene, and also for probing explosives, like DNT in the gas phase. Color change patterns manifest the presence of a specific or given targets, in other words, the observed color change patterns indicate a particular vapour of the individual analyte or mixture of analytes. Digital images of arrays before and after exposure can be used for generating of the color difference map by pixel subtraction. A difference map is able to compose a unique fingerprint for each analyte or its mixture. For each analyte average color change profile was obtained and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The resulting colorimetric sensor was used for the vapor analysis of acetone, acetic acid, ethanol, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol, propanol, toluene, and DNT. The analysis demonstrates the familiar similarity in the response among compounds with common organic properties: alcohols, organic and inorganic acids, ketones and arenes. The strong signal was obtained in the presence of acids, the color-changes profile shows the significant different between inorganic and organic acids (FIG. 3). By using the chemo-selective compounds array was possible to identify closely related alcohols; some compounds selectively changed color in the presence of methanol (comp. no. 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15), ethanol (comp. no. 6, 9, 10) and propanol (comp. no. 6, 9, 10). Some compounds selectively changed color in the presence of hydrochloric acid (no. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), formic acid (no. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), acetic acid (comp. no. 2, 12, 13, 14, and 15), acetone (comp. no. 6, 10, 13), toluene (comp. no. 12, 13, 15), DNT (comp. no. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15).

Since explosives have low vapor pressure at ambient conditions, DNT was heated up to 100° C. to increase the analyte vapor. The same working principle will be used in the commercialized sensor. The slide with the ordinary immobilized chemo-selective compounds was also heated up at the same elevated temperature; those results were used as a control. Obtained results are presented in the FIG. 3. According to the evaluated data, the chemo-selective compounds were not only able to detect specific analytes, they were also able to change the color pattern specifically at the high temperature-Control-at-100° C. (comp. no. 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15) (FIG. 3).

TABLE 2 Proprieties of the compounds resulting in color changes in real colors and RGB color format. RGB colors were generated after the mathematical calculation of color changes, and presented as the absolute value of Red, Green, and Blue values obtained independently from each dye spot as the difference in color changes after and before the exposure to the target. Color change Color channel Analyte Before exposure After exposure R G B Compound number 1 Methanol Light orange No change 0 0 0 Ethanol Light orange No change 0 0 0 Propanol Light orange No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Light orange Yellow-brown 120 195 180 acid Formic acid Light orange Orange 0 30 0 Acetic acid Light orange No change 0 0 0 Acetone Light orange No change 0 0 0 Toluene Light orange No change 0 0 0 DNT Light orange Deep orange 0 45 0 Control-at- Light orange No change 0 0 0 100° C. Compound number 2 Methanol Light brown Brown 30 0 0 Ethanol Light brown No change 0 0 0 Propanol Light brown No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Light brown Deep brown 135 195 180 acid Formic acid Light brown Deep brown 60 135 75 Acetic acid Light brown Deep brown 0 30 0 Acetone Light brown No change 0 0 0 Toluene Light brown No change 0 0 0 DNT Light brown Deep brown 30 45 0 Control-at- Light brown Deep brown 60 75 90 100° C. Compound number 3 Methanol Light orange Orange 0 0 60 Ethanol Light orange No change 0 0 0 Propanol Light orange No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Light orange Brown 105 195 240 acid Formic acid Light orange No change 0 75 255 Acetic acid Light orange No change 0 0 0 Acetone Light orange No change 0 0 0 Toluene Light orange No change 0 0 0 DNT Light orange Deep brown 0 0 75 Control-at- Light orange Brown 60 255 255 100° C. Compound number 4 Methanol Brown Light grey-brown 60 0 0 Ethanol Brown No change 0 0 0 Propanol Brown No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Brown Grey-brown 105 0 0 acid Formic acid Brown Grey-brown 105 30 0 Acetic acid Brown No change 0 0 0 Acetone Brown No change 0 0 0 Toluene Brown No change 0 0 0 DNT Brown No change 0 0 0 Control-at- Brown Deep brown 30 45 90 100° C. Compound number 5 Methanol Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange Ethanol Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange Propanol Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange Hydrochloric Faint yellow- Grey-brown 0 120 210 acid orange Formic acid Faint yellow- No change 45 75 120 orange Acetic acid Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange Acetone Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange Toluene Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 orange DNT Faint yellow- Orange 30 75 90 orange Control-at- Faint yellow- No change 0 0 0 100° C. orange Compound number 6 Methanol Light brown with Faint Brown with light brown 0 45 60 yellow-orange periphery periphery Ethanol Light brown with Faint Brown with light brown 0 60 105 yellow-orange periphery periphery Propanol Light brown with Faint Brown with light brown 0 105 105 yellow-orange periphery periphery Hydrochloric Light brown with Faint Deep brown with light 60 150 150 acid yellow-orange periphery brown periphery Formic acid Light brown with Faint Grey-brown 255 255 255 yellow-orange periphery Acetic acid Light brown with Faint No change 0 0 0 yellow-orange periphery Acetone Light brown with Faint Brown with light brown 0 45 30 yellow-orange periphery periphery Toluene Light brown with Faint No change 0 0 0 yellow-orange periphery DNT Light brown with Faint Brown with light brown 45 75 45 yellow-orange periphery periphery Control-at- Light brown with Faint No change 0 0 0 100° C. yellow-orange periphery Compound number 7 Methanol Light brown Brown 0 0 30 Ethanol Light brown No change 0 0 0 Propanol Light brown No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Light brown Grey-brown 90 75 45 acid Formic acid Light brown Grey-brown 45 60 45 Acetic acid Light brown No change 0 0 0 Acetone Light brown No change 0 0 0 Toluene Light brown No change 0 0 0 DNT Light brown No change 0 0 0 Control-at- Light brown Deep brown 0 0 45 100° C. Compound number 8 Methanol Light yellow No change 0 0 0 Ethanol Light yellow No change 0 0 0 Propanol Light yellow No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Light yellow Dark grey-yellow 0 135 45 acid Formic acid Light yellow Grey-yellow 60 255 120 Acetic acid Light yellow No change 0 0 0 Acetone Light yellow No change 0 0 0 Toluene Light yellow No change 0 0 0 DNT Light yellow Bright yellow 0 45 0 Control-at- Light yellow No change 0 0 0 100° C. Compound number 9 Methanol Yellow Light yellow 0 0 90 Ethanol Yellow Light yellow 0 0 60 Propanol Yellow Light yellow 0 0 45 Hydrochloric Yellow Grey-yellow 0 165 45 acid Formic acid Yellow Dark grey-yellow 255 255 180 Acetic acid Yellow No change 0 0 0 Acetone Yellow No change 0 0 0 Toluene Yellow No change 0 0 0 DNT Yellow Dark yellow 60 255 75 Control-at- Yellow Bright yellow 0 45 0 100° C. Compound number 10 Methanol Yellow Light yellow 0 255 255 Ethanol Yellow Light yellow 0 45 165 Propanol Yellow Light yellow 0 105 165 Hydrochloric Yellow Light yellow 0 75 90 acid Formic acid Yellow Light yellow 0 60 210 Acetic acid Yellow No change 0 0 0 Acetone Yellow Light yellow 0 60 120 Toluene Yellow No change 0 0 0 DNT Yellow No change 0 0 0 Control-at- Yellow No change 0 0 0 100° C. Compound number 11 Methanol Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 Ethanol Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 Propanol Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Brown-yellow Light brown-yellow 0 30 105 acid Formic acid Brown-yellow Light brown-yellow 0 30 45 Acetic acid Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 Acetone Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 Toluene Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 DNT Brown-yellow Light brown-yellow 45 60 60 Control-at- Brown-yellow No change 0 0 0 100° C. Compound number 12 Methanol Brown No change 0 0 0 Ethanol Brown No change 0 0 0 Propanol Brown No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Brown Red-brown 255 255 255 acid Formic acid Brown Red-brown 255 255 255 Acetic acid Brown Grey-brown 180 210 180 Acetone Brown No change 0 0 0 Toluene Brown Deep brown 90 75 60 DNT Brown Grey-pink 0 165 0 Control-at- Brown Grey-pink 0 255 0 100° C. Compound number 13 Methanol Faint grey-pink No change 0 0 0 Ethanol Faint grey-pink No change 0 0 0 Propanol Faint grey-pink No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Faint grey-pink Dark grey 240 90 225 acid Formic acid Faint grey-pink Grey 255 75 225 Acetic acid Faint grey-pink Blue-pink 75 45 75 Acetone Faint grey-pink Faint brown-red 0 30 0 Toluene Faint grey-pink Faint blue-pink 45 30 30 DNT Faint grey-pink Faint pink 75 150 255 Control-at- Faint grey-pink Faint pink 0 180 255 100° C. Compound number 14 Methanol Yellow Light grey-yellow 0 30 0 Ethanol Yellow No change 0 0 0 Propanol Yellow No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Yellow Dark grey-yellow 105 210 150 acid Formic acid Yellow Grey-yellow 195 255 90 Acetic acid Yellow Light grey-yellow 0 30 0 Acetone Yellow No change 0 0 0 Toluene Yellow No change 0 0 0 DNT Yellow Dark brown-yellow 255 255 225 Control-at- Yellow Light grey-yellow 0 45 0 100° C. Compound number 15 Methanol Yellow Light grey-yellow 0 30 0 Ethanol Yellow No change 0 0 0 Propanol Yellow No change 0 0 0 Hydrochloric Yellow Dark grey-yellow 150 165 225 acid Formic acid Yellow Dark grey-yellow 255 255 210 Acetic acid Yellow Light grey-yellow 60 45 45 Acetone Yellow No change 0 0 0 Toluene Yellow Bright yellow 30 30 0 DNT Yellow Brown-yellow 255 255 255 Control-at- Yellow Light brown-yellow 0 90 120 100° C.

Example 5 Detection of Explosives in a Gas Phase

To detect explosives, like DNT, RDX, HMX, TAPT, 15 chemo-selective compounds of general formula I were immobilized on the silica gel support in the working volume of 1 μL (FIG. 1). To perform the survey DNT, RDX, HMX and TAPT were ordered from Sigma (St. Louise, Mo., USA). Explosives were tested separately at a working amount of 10 mg. Since explosives have a low vapour pressure at room temperature experiments were performed at the elevated temperature of 100° C.; analytes were heated up to reach the temperature of 100° C. Experiments were of 2 minute duration. Control experiments were also performed at 100° C. in duration of 2 minutes. Pictures were scanned using a flatbed scanner (Epson V750-M Pro Perfection scanner) immediately after immobilization of chemo-selective compounds and after exposure of explosives. Pictures were obtained at 600 dots per inch in RGB color format. In this work, after the exposure of DNT, RDX, HMX and TAPT chemo-selective compounds changed colors. FIG. 4 shows the application of the colorimetric sensor array for detection of DNT. Images of the array were taken before and after exposure of DNT vapors, and the difference map obtained from red, green, and blue values of the pictures. Digital imaging of the colorimetric array before and after exposure can be used for generating of the color difference map by pixel subtraction.

A difference map is able to compose a unique fingerprint for each explosive. To evaluate the color changes of chemo-selective compounds in the presence of explosives, the similar data analysis was performed as described above for VOCs. The changes in a color signature of the chemo-selective compounds indicate the presence of explosives in gas phase. By using the chemo-selective array it was possible to identify DNT (comp. no. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), TATP (comp. no. 2, 4, 10, and 12), some compounds selectively changed color in the presence of RDX (no. 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 13) and HMX (comp. no. 4, 5, 10) (see Table 3 below).

The simple colorimetric sensor array can be useful for detection and/or identification of volatile organic compounds in air as the present molecules have capability for recognizing specific analytes as described supra.

TABLE 3 Detection of explosives using the colorimetric sensor array. Color changes presented in RGB color format. RGB colors were generated as color changes before and after exposure of explosives, and the mathematical calculation of color changes was performed, and presented as the absolute value of Red, Green, and Blue values obtained independently from each dye spot. Explosive Compound number Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DNT R_(channel) 0 30 0 0 30 45 0 0 60 0 45 0 75 255 255 G_(channel) 45 45 0 0 75 75 0 45 255 0 60 165 150 255 255 B_(channel) 0 0 75 0 90 45 0 0 75 0 60 0 255 225 255 TATP R_(channel) 0 15 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 10 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 15 0 0 20 35 5 15 0 15 15 0 20 30 15 10 RDX R_(channel) 0 5 0 25 10 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 G_(channel) 10 0 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 10 0 0 35 30 10 20 30 25 0 0 20 30 20 0 HMX R_(channel) 0 10 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 45 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 0 0 10 10 20 0 0 0 25 0 5 0 0 0 B_(channel) 10 5 0 15 30 0 15 0 20 20 0 0 30 0 0 Control-at- 100° C. R_(channel) 0 10 10 7 0 0 15 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 10 20 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 10 B_(channel) 0 15 20 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 20 15

Example 6 Detection of Illegal Drugs in Gas Phase, Part I

In the present example the colorimetric sensor array with a plurality of chemo-selective compounds was shown to be suitable for detection of illegal drugs.

In similar order, again, 15 chemo-selective compounds of general formula I were immobilized on the silica gel support in the working volume of 1 μL. To increase the array sensitivity samples containing isosafrole (Sigma, St. Louis, USA) and phenylacetone (Sigma, St. Louis, USA) were heated up at the elevated temperature of 100° C. This technique was applied to elevate vapors emanating by illegal drugs.

The same detection principle was applied for identification of illegal drugs as has been described above for detection of explosives and VOCs. Herein, the colorimetric sensor was applied for detection of isosafrole and phenylacetone. Isosafrole and phenylacetone are precursors of illegal drugs which can be utilized for synthesis of “ecstasy”. Isosafrole is an aromatic organic chemical that has an odor similar to licorice and anise, and used for making soap and perfumes, as well as used as a preservative and antiseptic agent. Phenylacetone is an aromatic organic chemical with odor of anise. Phenylacetone can be used in production of pesticides and anticoagulants. However, phenylacetone has a strong effect on the sympathetic nervous system and can be used as an alternative material for synthesis of amphetamine and “ecstasy”. As used herein, the chemo-selective compounds were able to change color in the presence of isosafrole and phenylacetone. The representation of color changes in RGB format is presented in Table 4. The colorimetric sensor has shown a large response to the presence of phenylacetone (comp. no. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10) and for isosafrole (comp. no. 1, 4, 7, 9 and 13), respectively.

Example 7 Detection of Illegal Drugs in Gas Phase, Part II

The colorimetric sensor array can be employed for effective and fast monitoring of narcotics. The colorimetric sensor array can be used as an alternative sensor for effective real-time survey of different types of illegal drugs, like for example LSD.

The colorimetric sensor array was applied for detecting LSD. The array was performed at elevated temperature of 100° C. In the array of 15 chemo-selective compounds the silica gel membrane was used as a supporting material. Chemo-selective compounds were applied in the working volume of 1 μL in order presented in FIG. 1. The similar detection principle was applied for identification of LSD as has been described above in detection of explosives and VOCs.

The RGB color format was used to extract data from the sensor; the results are presented in Table 4. The sensor showed a significant response wherein chemo-selective compounds were able to detect the presence of LSD in the gas phase (comp. no. 4, 8, 10, 14, and 15) (see Table 4 below).

TABLE 4 Detection of Illegal drugs using the colorimetric sensor array. Color changes presented in RGB color format. RGB colors were generated as color changes before and after exposure of illegal drugs, and the mathematical calculation of color changes was performed, and presented as the absolute value of Red, Green, and Blue values obtained independently from each dye spot. Drugs Compound number Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Phenylacetone R_(channel) 9 0 15 40 10 0 15 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 15 0 9 22 10 0 10 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 30 0 0 15 20 0 20 15 15 15 0 0 0 30 0 Isosafrole R_(channel) 15 0 10 25 0 0 10 0 15 0 0 0 20 0 0 G_(channel) 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 10 15 0 15 25 10 15 40 20 0 0 20 20 20 10 LSD R_(channel) 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 20 0 0 0 20 15 B_(channel) 0 0 0 15 20 0 0 20 0 20 0 15 20 40 15 Control-at- 100° C. R_(channel) 0 10 10 7 0 0 15 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 10 20 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 10 B_(channel) 0 15 20 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 20 15

Example 8 Detection of Food Freshness

The colorimetric sensor according to the present invention can be used to define the presence of bacteria on the surface of food samples as mentioned supra. The compounds of general formula I were applied to detect presence of bacteria in minced meat and fish samples.

Pork minced meat and Alaska Pollack fish were used in current experiments. Tested samples were kept at room temperature (approximately 24° C.) for 2 days, meanwhile control samples into a refrigerator at 4° C. for 2 days, respectively. Detection of vapours emanating by bacteria were performed at 24° C. Experiments were of 2 minute in duration. Pictures were scanned through an ordinary flatbed scanner (Epson V750-M Pro Perfection scanner) immediately after immobilization of chemo-selective compounds and after exposure of analytes. Pictures were obtained at 600 dots per inch in RGB color format. The similar data analysis was performed. It would appear that chemo-selective compounds were able to change color and detect food spoilage in samples. Color change results are presented in Table 5 below. According to the data analysis the chemo-selective compounds were able to detect the products of bacteria metabolism in pork minced meat (comp. no. 7) and Alaska Pollack fish (comp. no. 8 and 10) samples (Tab. 5).

TABLE 5 The colorimetric sensor array was used for detecting vapour emanating from food spoilage bacteria. Color changes are presented in the RGB color format. RGB colors were generated as color changes before and after exposure to gases emanating from bacteria and the mathematical calculation of color changes was performed, and presented as the absolute value of Red, Green, and Blue values obtained independently from each dye spot. Food quality Compound number Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Minced Meat R_(channel) 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 Fish R_(channel) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 25 0 25 0 15 0 10 10 Control R_(channel) 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G_(channel) 10 0 0 0 10 0 10 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 B_(channel) 15 0 0 10 30 0 15 10 20 0 0 10 20 15 15

Example 9 Detection DNT in Liquid Phase

The colorimetric sensor array can be also use for screening of most commonly used explosives and organic compounds in the real-time format in liquid phase. The signal of relevant reactions which depending on color changes can be obtained faster in liquid phase than in gas phase. Since the chemo-selective compounds have strong donor-acceptor properties it is important to evaluate the interaction between chemo-selective compounds, applied solvents and membrane stability.

For detection of DNT in liquid phase 15 chemo-selective compounds were immobilized on a solid support, a silica gel membrane, as shown in FIG. 1. To perform the survey 50 mg of DNT was dissolved in 0.5 mL of 96.9% ethanol, after the solution of DNT in ethanol was dissolved in 4.5 mL of Milli-Q water. Experiments were performed at room temperature. The silica gel membrane with immobilized compounds was dipped into solutions of DNT and remained there for 5 sec, after the exposure the chemo-selective compounds changed color (FIG. 5). Pictures were scanned twice through an ordinary flatbed scanner (Epson V750-M Pro Perfection scanner) first time after immobilization of chemo-selective compounds and second time after the analyte exposure. Almost each chosen dye reacted chemo-selectively with the analyte of interest.

Example 10 Statistical Analysis of Data

Data obtained with the colorimetric sensor array has been statistically evaluated by using the principal component analysis (PCA) method. PCA is a simple, non-parametric method which is relevant to extract data among different analytes into the minimum number of dimensions. In order to apply this method the difference maps must be represented as a matrix. As described earlier, each difference map can be represented using 45 color numbers hence each difference map corresponds to a vector is a 45 dimensional space (each map contains 15 dyes and each dye yields 3 values). We then construct a data matrix where each column corresponds to a difference map. PCA was applied to this data matrix.

According to the statistical analysis the overlap in the response for different analytes is insignificant (FIG. 6). FIG. 6 shows the PCA plot for the 1st to the 2nd principal components (PC) for a few select of the analytes. Using principal components 1 and 2 we see that 100° C., hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, toluene and DNT, groups tightly into clusters. Acetone, methanol, ethanol and propanol however are all grouped into the same cluster, but the cumulative density function analysis enables us to distinguish between these 4 analytes as well (FIG. 6).

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments and aspect, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. 

1. A multisensor array for detection of an analyte or mixtures thereof in the gas phase or in the liquid phase, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds represented by the general formulas 1) and 2) immobilized on a solid support spatially separated and individually addressable:

wherein, X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each independently represents a hetero atom selected from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium; and wherein the sub stituents R¹-R⁴ of general formula 1) are: R¹ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀- alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide, cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, and phenoxycarbonyl; 2-(methylthio)ethylsulfanyl copper bromide; benzoylsulfanyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; carboxy; phenyl; benzyl; phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; and (4′- {[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene ] tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; R² is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀- alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl1 wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl, and (4-nitrophenyl); benzoylsulfanyl; cyano; carboxy; methoxycarbonyl; phenyl; benzyl; and phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; R³ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀- alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of cyano, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl, and (4-nitrophenyl); benzoylsulfanyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; carboxy; unsubstituted phenyl and phenyl para-substituted by halogen; R⁴ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₂₀- alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of cyano, carboxamide, hydroxy, amino, (N-benzoyl)amino, halogen, methylthio, phenylcarboxy, phenoxycarbonyl; benzoylsulfanyl; benzyl; methoxycarbonyl; cyano; and carboxy; or R¹ and R² together form a group selected from the group consisting of:

R² and R³ together form a group selected from the group consisting of:

wherein the substituents R¹-R⁴ of general formula 2) are: R² is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; R³ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy; and methoxycarbonyl; R¹ and R⁴ together form a group selected from the group consisting of:

and the at least two compounds have a molecular weight below
 1700. 2-16. (canceled)
 17. The multisensory array according to claim 1, wherein R¹-R⁴ of general formula 1) are: R¹ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; phenyl; phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; and (4′- {[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene] tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; R² is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; phenyl; and phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; R³ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; phenyl; and phenyl para-substituted by halogen; and R⁴ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; or R¹ and R⁴ together form:

R² and R³ together form a group selected from the group consisting of:


18. The multisensory array according to claim 1, comprising at least two different chemo-selective compounds of general formula 1) and 2) selected from the group consisting of:


19. The multisensory array according to claim 18, comprising at least fifteen different chemo-selective compounds.
 20. The multisensory array according to claim 18, comprising at least the following compounds:


21. A method of detecting the presence of analytes or mixtures thereof in a gas or liquid sample comprising: providing the multisensory array according to claim 1; contacting said multisensory array with a sample that comprises analytes or mixtures thereof; and determining the presence of said analytes or mixtures thereof in said sample.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein R¹-R⁴ of general formula 1) are: R¹ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; (4′-{[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene]tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; phenyl; and phenyl parasubstituted by methoxy or halogen; R² is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; phenyl; phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; R³ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl, and cyano; phenyl; and phenyl para-substituted by halogen; and R⁴ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; or R¹ and R⁴ together form:

R² and R⁴ together form a group selected from the group consisting of:


23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the at least two different chemoselective compounds of general formulas 1) and 2) are selected from the group consisting of:


24. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least fifteen different chemo-selective compounds are comprised in the multisensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.
 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein at least the following compounds:

are comprised in the multisensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.
 26. A method for preparation of the multisensor sensor array according to claim 1, wherein at least two different chemo-selective compounds are immobilized on a solid support spatially separated and individually addressable.
 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the chemo-selective compounds immobilized on a solid support are selected from the group consisting of: poly- and mono-crystalline silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silica, glass, controlled pore glass, silica gel, gold, platinum, silver, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium, aluminum, gallium, germanium, indium, zinc, alloys like cadmium telluride and copper-indium-selenide, and metallic oxides, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylchloride polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoro ethylene, polycarbonate, polyester, cellulose, nitrocellulose, starch, polysaccharides, natural rubber, butyl rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, epoxies, polycyclic olefins, photoresist materials, conducting polymers, polyacetylene, polythiophene, polypyriole, polyaniline, glassy carbon, carbon paste, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, polyimide, polyvinyldifluoride, nylon, and polyamide.
 28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the analytes or mixtures thereof are amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, sulphides, thiols, explosives, toxic compounds, toxins, drugs, drug precursors, narcotics, environmental poisons, pollutants, or exhaust gasses from burning fuels.
 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein said sample is a food.
 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein said sample is a vapour obtained from a plastic material or furniture.
 31. A method of detecting and identifying an analyte or mixtures thereof in a gas or liquid, comprising: obtaining a first measurement from a multisensor sensor array according to claim 1 prior to exposure to a gas or liquid comprising an analyte or mixtures thereof; exposing the multisensor sensor array to the gas or liquid comprising said analyte or mixtures thereof; obtaining a second measurement of the multisensor sensor aay after exposure to the gas or liquid comprising said analyte or mixtures thereof; and analyzing a difference between the first measurement and the second measurement.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein R¹-R⁴ of general formula 1) are: R¹ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; (4′-{[7-(2-cyanoethylthio)-2,3-dimethoxy-carbonyl-6-thio-methylene ]tetrathiafulvalene}-4-bipyridine)methylsulfanyl; phenyl; and phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; R² is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; phenyl; phenyl para-substituted by methoxy or halogen; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl and cyano; R³ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₂₀-alkylsulfanyl; 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenyl, and cyano; phenyl; and phenyl para-substituted by halogen; and R⁴ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; C₁-C₄-alkyl; methoxycarbonyl; and 2-substituted ethylsulfanyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxamide and cyano; or R¹ and R⁴ together form:

R² and R³ together fom a group selected from the group consisting of:


33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the at least two different chemoselective compounds of general formulas 1) and 2) are selected from the group consisting of:


34. The method according to claim 33, wherein at least fifteen different chemoselective compounds are comprised in the multisensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.
 35. The method according to claim 32, wherein at least the following compounds:

are comprised in the multisensor array for detection of analytes and mixtures thereof in gas or liquid phase.
 36. The method according to claim 31, wherein the analytes or mixtures thereof are amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, sulphides, thiols, explosives, toxic compounds, toxins, drugs, drug precursors, narcotics, environmental poisons, pollutants, or exhaust gasses from burning fuels.
 37. The method according to claim 31, wherein said gas or liquid is a food.
 38. The method according to claim 31, wherein said gas or liquid is a gas obtained from a plastic material or furniture. 